Brutal Video: As I Lay Dying ‘Anodyne Sea’

by Marc Patterson Turn your speakers the fuck up because Ian McFarland and Mike Pecci have just finished crafting their latest hard edged and violent music video for San Diego “metalcore” rockers As I Lay Dying. McFarland and Pecci, who both hail from Boston Mass just spent some time out in San Diego shooting the the video for Anodyne Sea. If you recognize Pecci’s name it’s because we’ve covered his short horror and exploitation films at length in the past, most of which predominantly feature Suicide Girls. (Films such as Cold Hard Cash, Capture Device, and Stray Bullet). Along with his partner in crime, and a guy I went to high school with, Ian McFarland, these two have been making videos for some of the most prolific hardcore punk bands, including Agnostic Front and Sick of It All. Their approach is gritty, artistic, and will ALWAYS engage the audience bringing unbelievable intensity to the screen. Believe me when I tell you, these guys are the real deal.I’m highlighting this video, not just because I love their work, which I do, but also because they build some really cool concepts into the video by shooting everything from the perspective of the drummer Jordan Mancino. It’s a technique I’ve only seen effectively used elsewhere by Gaspar Noe in Enter the Void. Pecci tells us this was accomplished through the use of “a custom designed helmet-cam rig with a Nikon D7000 HD-SLR camera and Teradek Cube for wireless video monitoring“. While that might not mean a lot to the average rock fan, it makes for a killer effect in the video, and after checking it out you’ll see what I mean.

The video takes a controversial hardline by taking on an extreme approach in tackling the issue of free speech, and the consequences of standing up for what you believe in with unwavering conviction.Tim Lambesis, frontman for As I Lay Dying talks up Ian and Mike stating that “Ian and Mike have a passion for their art and they brought us an incredible treatment. Conceptually, I enjoyed making a video that is outside the box and with a style that is incredibly unique. I’m proud of the outcome and can’t wait for our fans to see it!”McFarland and Pecci also share with us that “We collaborated closely with the band on this video to create a raw, intense look at the potential consequences for standing up for what you believe in. It is astounding to think about how many people are blind to the fact that violence is used every day to control public and personal opinion. As I Lay Dying is to be commended for having the balls to create a video where they step outside their comfort zone and make such a relevant clip for our times.”Okay – enough of the talk – onto the video! – And be sure to keep up with McFarland and Pecci’s exploits at www.mcfarlandandpecci.com